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Ajay Chakraborty envisioned a future where singing is a compulsory part of education for children aged 5 to 10 across India. To bring this dream to fruition, he reached out to both former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chakraborty believed that children who learn to sing grow into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society, rather than becoming threats.

Today, I am sharing the story of this remarkable artist who, through dedication, discipline, and immense self-control, pursued his dream. The son of a primary school teacher, Chakraborty has risen to become an icon in the realm of world-class classical music.

During the tenure of the Left Front government in West Bengal, under Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Chakraborty was honored with the prestigious Kumar Gandharva Award. A grand ceremony was held in his honor, where Bhattacharjee offered him a flat. Chakraborty humbly declined the offer, instead requesting land to establish a music school. He believed that early music education helps children develop into exceptional individuals. With this vision, he founded Shrutinandan, his music school.

Chakraborty began his musical journey at the tender age of two and a half. Even now, at approximately 72 years old, he feels there is still much to learn. He often reflects on the metaphor of the swan, the vehicle of Saraswati, the goddess of music, which can separate milk from water. True music, according to Chakraborty, elevates the good in society and discards the bad. This is the essence of his musical philosophy.

The legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray shared a close bond with Chakraborty, affectionately calling him “mama” (uncle) due to their shared origins from Mymensingh. Their conversations often centered on music, and Chakraborty contributed his talents to Ray’s films. He also spent considerable time with Professor Snehansu Kumar Sarkar, a philosophy scholar and music aficionado. Sarkar regarded Chakraborty and his wife as his own family and spent the last 14-15 years of his life with them.

In modern India, scholars like Professor Sarkar, dedicated to both music and philosophy, are rare. Among the greatest music teachers in India, Gyan Prakash Ghosh was an institution unto himself. Ghosh trained ten of India’s top tabla players and mentored many renowned singers, including Manabendra Mukherjee, Sandhya Mukherjee, and Jatileshwar Mukherjee. It was likely due to Ghosh’s influence that Chakraborty, as the head of ITC, was chosen to lead a prestigious music institution in India. He learned from Vijay Kichlu how to manage such an institution.

Gyan Prakash Ghosh taught the art of mesmerizing audiences with a single voice. This vocal tradition was the cornerstone of his teachings. Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, once expressed a desire to spend a month at Shrutinandan learning music from Chakraborty. Similarly, the esteemed artist Manna Dey mentioned that had he been younger, he would have sought classical music training from Chakraborty. Chakraborty has released over 100 albums, showcasing his versatility across genres such as Ramprasadi, Atulprasadi, Rabindra Sangeet, and more. His musical spirit transcends regional boundaries. His profound grasp of North Indian classical music—its melodies, grandeur, emotions, and subtleties—has made his music deeply impactful. His voice resonates with listeners on a profound level.

As Rabindranath Tagore once said, “How do you sing, O virtuoso? I listen in awe, I listen in amazement.” Chakraborty’s music possesses an eternal golden quality. Gyan Prakash Ghosh once remarked, “I have many unfinished tasks that you, Ajay, must complete.” The boy from Shyamnagar did not understand these tasks then, but now, at 72, he recognizes there is still much work ahead.

In a world where loneliness pervades, Ajay Chakraborty’s music offers solace, saying, “I am here, my music is with you.” As we drift along the melody of his compositions, we may one day discover a sense of life and fulfillment, just as millions find comfort and peace in his songs. We hope that Ajay Chakraborty remains a cherished presence among us, and that through his music, we may experience true liberation.